In an interview with CBS News, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged that some migrants are trying to exploit the U.S. asylum system, a sentiment often expressed by Republicans but rarely by Biden administration officials. Mayorkas stated that while not everyone is attempting to “game” the system, there is an element of individuals who do, and these cases are dealt with accordingly. This comes as the U.S. southern border has seen record levels of migrant apprehensions in recent years, making immigration a top concern for voters heading into the upcoming presidential election.
Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have long accused migrants of abusing the asylum process to remain in the country indefinitely. They have called for restrictions or bans on asylum to deter those who do not qualify from filing misleading claims. In contrast, Democrats and Mayorkas have emphasized the need to expedite the processing of asylum claims, grant protection to eligible individuals, and deport those who do not meet the legal criteria. Mayorkas highlighted a bipartisan border security proposal that would provide more tools to address individuals attempting to exploit the system, but the legislation has twice collapsed due to insufficient Republican support.
U.S. law allows migrants on American soil to request asylum if they can prove they are fleeing persecution based on specific criteria. However, many applicants ultimately do not meet the legal threshold to receive asylum. Mayorkas discussed the need to drive traffic to official ports of entry in an orderly manner, as outlined in the failed bipartisan legislation. The Biden administration has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers over its handling of the surge in migration to the southern border. Mayorkas was even impeached in February by House Republicans for allegedly breaching the public’s trust and failing to enforce immigration laws.
Mayorkas refuted the claim that Biden administration policies have encouraged migrants to embark on the journey to the U.S. from their countries of origin. He cited reasons such as poverty, violence, extreme weather events, corruption, and authoritarian suppression as driving forces for migration. While Biden vowed to “restore” the asylum system, his administration has imposed limits, including presuming migrants ineligible for refuge if they did not seek protection in a third country. Additionally, an executive action to temporarily suspend asylum processing during surges in illegal border entries is under consideration. Migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border have decreased by over 50% this month compared to the record highs seen in December, with Mexico’s efforts and increased deportations contributing to this decline.
